Omaha daily bee., 1887-01-07

free from antiquities, that there shall be no
occasion for referring to the supreme court
Tor Interpretation.
OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
A wise forecast has provided Nebraska
with the means of establishing and main-
tanning a school system, the advantages Of
which, we have reason to believe, are not
surpassed by those OF any state, and Its en-
dowment, and Its interests should be guarded
with the most jealous care. 1t is title
truth, but none the less true because trte,
that our institutions. society, order and good
government, depend Gpon the education and
enlightenment of the people Our cduca-
tonal interests should always have the foS-
tering care OF the legislature. 1t will be well
for you TO inquire whether any action is
needed to increase still further the efficiency
of our system. | do not mean that system
which seems TO regard the amount crowded
into the mind as of more consequence than
a thorough understanding and comprehen-
sion of IL, and which tends to dwarf the in
tvllcct, but that system which intelligently
instructs and enlight1ns the pupil in regard
70 that which is being acquired and learned.
When boards OF education and educators
will comprehend that the Smaller
amount of learning, intclligcnty cN-
planned and thoroughly understood, is
much to be preferred to the large amount
crowded upon the mind but poorly cOmpre-
hended and unexplained, our educational in
tercSts will be largely benefited Thorough
ness instead OF quantity. Practical studies
more than ornamental, The languages OF
the present instead Of the aged past. More
schools and fewer colleges. Let it be remrnl-
bercd that high sounding titles do not create
universities and colleges oi the firSt-claSs.
They are the outgroMth of time, experience,
hard work and liberal endowment
TREE CULTURE.
One of the pleasing features of civil2a.
ton in this state is the planting and growth
of trees. The increased value added to the
lands from this source cannot be over-eSti
mated. Nebraska led in this most useful
work of raising groves. and forests upon the
praries hitherto treelcss, and is receiving
the gratitude of the present, and will receive
ii from future generations. Owing TO the
rapid consumption of old forests, those who
cultivate trees are helping to make provision
for meeting future wants. Tree culture
should be encouraged in every possible way.
NATIONAL GUARDS.
Universal experience and practice in all
the states. believe, sustain the. proposition
that well organized national guard is
necessary adjunct to the civil authority in a
state. To be prepared for war is the surest
safeguard against war; lhis is applicable to
nations, but the spirit OF it is applicable to
the states. Every state should possess within
itself the means of asserting its authority and
maintaining the public peace. We rely upon
the civil power for the protection of life and
property, the preservation of order and the
enforcement of the laws The military
power must ever be subordinate to civil au-
thOrity, and can be used only as a last resort.
When peace and order are overthrown, the
laws violated, the civil powers deiied and are
pOWerleSS to suppress the disturbances, and
life and property are endangered. then the
employment of the military forces OF the
state is fully justiiable.
SECOND REGIMENT OF n. G.
/ concur with my predecessor in recon-
mendng the organization of the I'd regiment
of national guards, and provision for annual
cncampmcntS.
OUR STATE INSTITUTIONS.
j recommend that you cause a thorough
investigation to be made of all the state in
stitutlons. This is not inspired by reference
to any particular institution, nor by any in
formation that they are mismanaged, but it
is inspired by the general principle or rule
that all pententiaries, jails, asylums, houses
of correction, reform schools, homes for the
friendlesS and poOrhouses should be the sub
walls. They are shut in from the world The
authority OF those in charge is autocratic. Its
exercise is unseen and unknown outside of
thc>ligh walls surrounding. There is no one
else of such power in such circum stances,
and without restraint, oftcntimes leads to
tyranny and oppression. The people who
support these institutions have u right to
know, and to demand, that they be managed
and controlled by enlightened and humane
rules and regulations, and that those confined
therein, whether from criminal, physical or
mental causes, shall be under wholesome and
beneficial Influences and shall receive proper
care and treatment. Although the governor
is not a member of the board of managers,
shall regard 1t as my duty to make frequent
examinations into the condition of these in
StitutiOnS
A SEPARATE ASYLUM FOR NCURABLE IN
SANE.
In this connection IL may be stated that
several eminent medical gentlemen have
called my attention, and have requested me
to present the subject for your consideration,
to the necessity OF making provision tor the
care and maintenance OF the durable insane
separate from those who are incura6le This
pr.., ~ lnn aud trA1t 10 Ian
sound judgment, the common sense the
humane instincts of every one who has given
thought to this subject. 1t does not need
actual demonstration to be convinced that
the influence OF association and contact of
the hopelcSSly insane with those for whom
there Is hope of restoration Of reason, is most
deleterious to the latter. Everything that
humanity can dictate, the highest develop
mentS in mental science prescribe the most
enlightened studies of insanity can propose,
must be done for these two classes Of un-
fortunates. Hospitals for the insane are pro-
vided for the purpose OF furnishing the
necessary treatment for the patlents,-fOr the
restoration OF health to the body and the
mind. Asylums for the insane are created
Tor the purpose OF providing safe retreats
for the lncnrableS, where proper and kind
treatment shall be administered 10 them and
where they shall receive every comfort con-
Sistcnt with their security and detention.
There is no condition OF human beings on
this earth so ptiable, so deplOrable, as is the
condition Of those from whom the light of
reason has forever departed, and who lnger
in life dwelling idiots or raving maniacs.
ASyums for manacal insane should be
provided with all proper appliances. Bind
ing patients to walls and floors with chains,
cOnining them thus in iron dungeons from
whic II they never emerge till death has re-
leYed them, Is abnOrrcnt to every humane
sentiment. The day for chains for these hap
less beings mas passed. In such institutions
there should be padded rooms for the mani
acal. in which they can do no harm to them
selves and others; light and airy rooms from
which the appearance OF the dungeon can he
as far removed as possible. This treatment
of such unfOrtunates would increase their
comforts and would impart some satisfaction
to the relatives and friends of such. | com
mend this subject 10 your earnest attention.
JAIIs AND POOR HOUSES.
The board of managers Of our state insi tu-
tlOnS are required TO Inspect them st frequent
Intervals. Grand Jurors are required 10 III
spect the jails, and make reports to the court,
which sits but twice a year. 1t would be
well if this duty could be performed at more
frequent intervals.
1t is noteworthy that more of public atten-
ton and thought Is being attracted to the
subject of correctional and charitable institu-
tions than has heretofore been given them.
trust that the session of the national confer.
ence OF charities and corrections, which will
meet in Omaha early IN the coming summer,
will disseminate beneiS~nt influence in this
state.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.